Quick-return slack-water system



H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ. QUICK RETURN SLACK WATER SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.23, 191s.

1,381,315. Patented June 14, 1921.

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QUICK RETURN SLACK WATER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.23| 1918.

Patented June 14, 1921.

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man ml? 411mm 4W M H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ. QUICK RETURN SLACK WATER SYSTEM.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT.23. I9I8. 1,381,315

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRI PIERRE LAURENT LAUSSUCQ,

OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN OR TO HE'ULINGS LIPPINCOTT AND ALFRED J. MAJOR, AS RECEIVERS OEGAMDEN IRON WORKS, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

QUICK-RETURN SLACK-WATER SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 23, 1918. Serial No.-255,308.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HENRI PIERRE LAU- RENT LAUSSUCQ, a citizen of the United States, residing at 1426 Baird avenue, Camden, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Quick-Return Slack-lVater System, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to heavy hydraulic machinery and particularly to the connections for exhausting the water from the main cylinder thereof. It is applied to advantage wherever a main cylinder is filled with liquid above the main ram during a part of its stroke, down to the beginning of itsworking stroke, and the liquid is exhausted through the operation of a ram in a pull-back cylinder.

The main purpose of my invention is to increase the speed of exhaust of water from the main cylinder when the main ram is raised without increasing the rate of flow through the controlling valve.

A further purpose is to obtain all of the advantages of a check valve in a slack water filling system and permit exhaust through it.

A further purpose is to lift a check valve between a gravity tank and the main cylinder by a pilot ram when exhaust is desired.

A further purpose is to use the exhaust from the main cylinder through the control valve chiefly as a bleeder for the purpose of relieving the pressure upon the check valve so that it can be raised by but slight pressure to provide the main exhaust path through the valve.

A further purpose is to reduce the size of the control valve used, particularly the exhaust passages thereof, and to lessen the speed and wear of exhaust flow through the valve.

A further purpose is to reduce the fluid friction of the water flow.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have preferred to illustrate my invention by but one form thereof, selecting a form which has proved to be practical and highly eflicient in use, which is applicable to agreat variety of hydraulic machinery and which at the same time wellillustrates the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulic joggling press, one of the types of Patented June 14, 1921. i

apparatus to which my invention is applicable.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through a portion of the main cylinder, pull-back cylinder and supply connection of such a press showing the control valve in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of a valve suitable for making the fluid connections contemplated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the drawings similar numerals indicate like parts.

In previous hydraulic machinery of the character illustrated, the additional space above the main ram, due to lowering the die to the Work, has been filled by flow of water from a gravity tank through a check valve, as is the case with my construction, but this water was exhausted through the same pipes and valves as were used to supply the accumulator pressure for the working stroke of the die. This has been objectionable because of the relative throttling of the exhaust notwithstanding that a large size of valvewas supplied to handle the exhaust, and that the exhaust was passed through the valve and connections at an undesirably high speed. This meant also delay in the pull-back stroke and a size of pullback cylinder otherwise unnecessarily large.

My invention obtains a high rate of exhaust and quick pull back with a small pullback cylinder and a small control valve which carries but a very small part of the exhaust. I pass the greater part of the exhaust through the check valve by the same passage through which the main cylinder is filled during the gravity part of the stroke of the main ram.

Describing the form shown, by way of illustration only, in Fig. 1 I show a joggling press of a type which has been built and operated successfully, but in which I have omitted the laterally-movable die and connections for the sake of clearness.

The frame 5 is provided with a bed lying normally but slightly above the floor level as erected, and supporting a lower (fixed) die 7. The upper, vertically movable die is shown at 8.

As actually constructed this press is supplied with a horizontally-movable side-operating die and with cylinder and valve mechanism forpressing it toward the fixed guide 7. In order to avoid the complication of an additional. showing which would be a mere duplication in so far as it might afi'ect the present invention at all, I have omitted this side die and the structure by which it is operated, showing only the frame opening 9 in the position at which the structure is located.

The upper part of the frame carries the main cylinder 10 and the pull-back cylinder 11. The uppcr die 8 is connected with the pull-back piston 12 by a yoke comprising a cross-head 13 and side rods 14., so that the piston of the pull-back cylinder can lift the main die and with it the main ram. Water is allowed to flow from the gravity tank 15 into the main cylinder to fill up the main cylinder above the ram during the initial (idle) movement of the ram while the die is being set to the work. The pipe 16 connects the tank 15 and the main cylinder.

In Fig. 2 the parts are connected a little more closely than in Fig. 1, for convenience in illustration, particularly as regards the connections 16, 16 in the two figures and the closeness of the valve to the parts controlled by it. The main and pull-back rams are shown at 17 and 18 and the connections from the gravity tank through the intervening connection 16 are shown in more detail, whereby water flows from the gravity tank through a check valve 19 into the space above the main ram 17.

As will be seen, when. the main ram falls, the water will flow freely through this check valve toward the main ram, filling up the space until the ram is stopped either with the die 8 resting upon the work or at some higher determined point. i

The accumulator pressure connections for the main and pull-back cylinders are shown at 20 and 21, respectively, both fed through and controlled by a valve 22 whose supply of accumulator pressure is received through pipe 23 from an accumulator not shown. The valve exhausts through an outlet 24 which may connect as at 25 with the gravity tank supply on the tank side of the check valve 19 or may be connected to the sewer through valve 26 and pipe 27.

All of the operations of the press are controlled by the valve 22 through hand lever 28. I have not considered it necessary to give detailed description of nor to illustrate fully the connections made and the connection and support of the valve, alining of the cylinders, etc.

i It is not unusual for presses of the character described to weigh scores of tons, to carry an upper die weighing six or eight tons and to apply a total pressure upon the main ram of several hundred tons. The pressure upon .the pull-back ram is also considerable. The high pressures and the large sizes of the operating parts lead to the use of enormous quantities of water. A considerable part of this water has been used unnecessarily in the past by reason of the use of a relatively large pull-back cylinder to force the exhaust from the main cylinder through the control valve and connections, including the pipe 25 between the valveand the gravity tank.

Notwithstanding the use of a large pullback cylinder and a high speed of exhaust travel the pull-back stroke has taken much longer than is desirable because of the serious throttling of the exhaust in the pipes and control valve. I aim to save part of this time in return of the main ram, and to save quite a material part of the pull-back supply of accumulator water. Both of these savings arise from the same feature of my invention, the provision of a larger and shorter channel for main cylinder exhaust.

In previous presses of this character the check valve 19 operated in one direction only. It would open with the inflow of water from the gravity tank to allow the water to pass through it to the main cylinder but would close by gravity when the flow through the valve toward the main cylinder became much reduced or stopped. Consequently, when the pull-back cylinder was operated to lift the main ram, this valve was closed and all the exhaust fron. the upper side of the main ram had to take place through the pipe 20 and the valve 22.

I have overcome this difliculty by providing lifting mechanism for the check valve at the proper time to permit exhaust of the main cylinder into the gravity tank, forming a much shorter path for the water, as well as a path of much larger cross section. At the same time I reduce the exhaust through the pipe 20 to a minimum, permitting the size of this pipe to be determined solely by the size desirable for the accumulator presa sure supply used in operation of the main ram. This saves also in the size of valve 22 employed, since its passages need not handle as much water.

In any proper relation to the check valve 19, preferably in direct line with the axis of the valve, I place a pilot ram 29 operating within a cylinder 30; and below the valve I place a tappet rod 31. The pilot ram and rod are connected by a yoke having top and bottom cross-heads 32 and 33 and connecting rod or rods 34. Means 35 may be used about one of the rods, or in any other convenient location, to normally return the pilot ram to its bottom position with the tappet rod released from the valve 19. The type and connections of these parts, are, of course, capable of wide variation, and what I have shown is merely by way of illustration of one form which has been found to be highly satisfactory.

Motive fluid is supplied conveniently to the pilot ram cylinder 30 by pipe 36 from the same accumulator pressure line 37 as supplies the fiuid pressure through pipe 21 to the pull-back cylinder. As the uantity of water used by the pilot ram cyhnder is extremely small this will not require any apprecia le increase in the size of the piping, except as it is Intended to reduce the fluid resistance and supply the pressure more i freely and immediately for the purpose intended.

The pipes 20 and 37 form pressure outlet connection with the valve at outlets 38 and 39a The pilot cylinder is hushed as at 40.

In operation, assuming that the pipe 37 (and hence pipes 21 and 36) are free to exhaust and the accumulator pressure is cut off from the pipe 20, the main ram will fall as ra 'idlyas the water can escape from the pullack cylinder. The main ram is thus allowed to fall until the upper die comes to a predetermined point or rests upon the work.

As the main ram above it from the void in the main falls, water comes in gravity tank to fill up the cylinder, lifting the check valve 19 freely. The check valve remains in raised position until the water flow slows down sulficiently or stops, when the weight of the check valve causes it to close. During this time the lifting rod 31 will be in lowered position, not interfering with the operation of this valve, andthe pilot ram will be down, with the end of the ram resting on or near the bottom of its cylinder.

When the check valve has come to rest, closing its valve opening, accumulator pressure through pipe 20 will be available directly to press the main ram downwardly. to perform the intended joggling operation. When this has been completed. the pressure upon pipe 20 is cut off and it is connected with the exhaust. It immediately acts as a bleeder for the passage, leading to the gravity tank relieving pressure from the top of the check valve 19. Immediately after exhaust is permitted through the pipe 20, the pressure is applied topipe 37 raising the pilot ram and lifting the pullback piston.

The additional size and shorter length of the pipe 36 as compared with the pipe 21 will here be effective to give the pilot ram a slight start of the pull-back ram, lifting the rod 31 and thereby opening the check valve 19, so that as soon as the pull-back ram becomes operative to lift the main ram 17, free flow of water is provided through the check valve 19 into the gravity tank 15.

In Fig. 3 I have shown connections whereby from a hydraulic standpoint these several operations may be performed. I recognize that this is but one of many forms of valve which would be effective for the purpose and that my invention lies primarily in the connections whereby the several reare possible, rather than in the valve rod 41 is pivoted handle 28 at 42 and .the lat- 43 to a link connecting with 'annular space 46 surrounding the valve piston and communicating therewith through a series of openings 47 in a bushing 48 through which the piston slides and finds bearing. At opposite ends of the valve there are provided annular spaces 49 and 50 connected with the exhaust 51 by means of openings 52 and 53.

The piston 54 comprises three main parts with connecting mechanism therefor. It is made up primarily of the middle section 55 bordered by packing rings 56 and 57 and of reversely turned annular hollowed ends. Structurally, all of the parts are mounted upon the rod 41 between a shoulder 62, and

the end nut 63.

The two ends of the piston are nearly alike and are generally balanced on opposite sides of the central section. Each is made up of a sleeve 58 or 59 threaded internally at the end to receive an external thread upon cylindrical shell 60 or 61 so as to provide for the annular spaces 64, 65 between the sleeve and the shell. These spaces are open toward the center and are ported at 66, 66.- They differ in the lengths of the sleeves and thedpiston positions at which they are covere With these exceptions the two end parts of the piston are oppositely counterpart, so that the two shells are on the outer ends of the piston and the sleeves extend farther to ward the center than the shells. The sleeves terminate in heads 67 and 67 which are recessed at 68, 68' to provide space for the packing rings 56, 57.

hereas the packing for the central part of the piston is carried by the piston and engages the interior surface of the bushing 48, the packing for the ports 66, 66 is carried by the surrounding valve structure. Here,

, again the two ends of the valve are generally alike and oppositely counterpart except that the end toward the operating lever carries packing and gland structure for the rod which is not necessary at the opposite end and that the same end which carries the packing and gland structure carries also a cylindrical boss 69.

This boss serves the same purpose in limiting the stroke of the piston at that end as the nut 63 serves at the opposite end in engagement with the adjoining end 70 of the valve. The end members 71, 71' do not themselves come in engagement with the piston, but

at 44, so as to provide moveeffectively close the ends, form chambers within which the water passes to reach the openings 52 and 53 and hold packing 72 and 72 in position to cover ports 66, 66, though at different times.

The packing, as shown, is of annular channeled form, with the inner flanges of the channels engaging with the piston and held by the flange 73 of a ring 74:, whose outer edge is seated in the valve body against a shoulder 75. The end members 71, 71 are retained in position by threads 76, 76' engaging with corresponding threads on the inside of the end of the valve body.

In the position of the valve, as shown, with the lever 28 thrown to its extreme position at the right of the figure and the piston at the extreme left position, the accumulator pressure passing through pipes 23, enters the annular space 46, passes through ports 47 and into the interior of the bushing 48. Through the annular recess and the apertures 66', it passes into the annular space thereabout and then out through the opening 39, through pipe 37 to the pilot ram and pull-back cylinders, tending to place the parts in the position seen in Figs. 1 and 2 or holding them in the positions shown if retained in this position.

This provides a short cut discharge for the water in the main cylinder through the check valve. The pipe 20, itself connected with the exhaust, through connection 38, recess 64 and ports 66 and 52, offers so much more resistance to the passage of the exhaust water, that its chief advantage lies in relieving the pressure upon the top of the check valve, so as to permit the valve to be lifted by a relatively small pilot ram.

There are two intermediate positions of the valve piston. The first with ports 66', sealed against the packing 72' prevents exhaust from the pull-back cylinder at the same time that the accumulator pressure is shut off from both pipes 20 and 37 by the -packing 56 and 57 lying on opposite sides of the ports 4C7. This holds the main ram in any position to which it may have been set.

With a slight shift of the valve piston, the ports 66' are shifted sufiiciently to provide exhaust for the pipe 37, while maintaining the packin s 56 and 57 on opposite sides of the ports 4%. At the same time the ports 66 are sealed against packing 72. In this position of the valve piston, the main ram will fall by its own weight until the valve piston is shifted or until the upper die engages the work. During the fall of the main ram, water will flow in from the (filling) gravity supply to take the place of the piston.

When the main ram has been dropped to bring the upper die against the work and it is desired to bring pressure upon the work, the valve piston is shifted to the extreme right in Fig. 3, formin connections equivalent to those shown in ig. 3 in all respects, except that the accumulator pressure is then applied to pipe 20, instead of to pipe 37 and the latter is connected to the exhaust.

The valve 26 is not opened ordinarily, ex cept when it is desired to drain the system and such exhaust as takes lace through the valve 22 passes by way 0 pipe 25 into the gravity tank, retaining the entire water supply within the system.

It will be evident that main cylinder exhaust through the check valve greatly reduces the amount of water which must be handled by the controlling valve 22 and at the same time attains a speed of operation, which has been impracticable where the entire exhaust therefrom took place through the pipe 20. I also reduce the size of the valve 22 greatly and increase its life by reducing the speed of water passage through it.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a quick return slack water system, a main cylinder, a pull-back cylinder, a pilot cylinder, rams therein, a gravity filling tank, a passage connection between the gravity tank and main cylinder, accumulator pressure connections for the main cylinder, a check valve in the said passage, permitting free flow from the gravity tank to the main cylinder, a lifting rod for the check valve, operatively connected with the pilot ram, accumulator pressure connections tothe pullback cylinder and pilot cylinder and a control valve regulating the accumulator connections for the main cylinder, pull-back and pilot cylinders and adapted to exhaust the main cylinder through the valve when pressure is applied to the pull-back and pilot cylinders.

2. In a quick return slack water system, a main cylinder, and ram, apull-back cylinder and ram, a controlling valve, accumulator pressure connections from said controlling valve to said cylinders alternating in pressure and also in exhaust therefrom, gravity filling water supply and connections for said main cylinder, a valve in said gravity supply connections allowing flow of water therethrough and blocking return flow when accumulator pressure is applied to the main ram, and means for opening the valve substantially concurrently with application of accumulator pressure to the pull-back cylinder and exhaust from the main cylinder through the controlling valve.

3. In a quick return slack water system, a main cylinder and ram, 2. pull-back cylinder and ram, gravity filling fluid supply and connection for said main cylinder, a valve in said gravity supply connection, adapted to allow free flow of fluid from the supply into the main cylinder and to be closed norreally to reverse flow therethrough in combination with pressure-operated means for opening said valve, a controlling valve structure and connections supplying accumulator pressure to the two cylinders and to said means and exhausting pressure from the main cylinder when the valve is lifted to act as bleeder for relief of pressure from the top of the valve.

4. In a quick return slack water system, a. main cylinder, and ram, a pull-back cylinder and ram, gravity filling water supply and connections for said main cylinder, a check valve in the connections of said supply, allowing free flow toward the main cylinder and normally checking flow in reverse direction, a pilot cylinder and ram, a lifting rod for said check valve, connections between said pilot ram and the lifting rod and a control valve alternately applying accumulator pressure to the main cyhnder and pullback cylinder and exhaust therefrom and applying pressure to the pilot cylinder substantially concurrently with exhaust from the main cylinder, said exhaust acting as a bleeder to relieve pressure on the top of the check valve during operation of the pilot valve.

5. In a quick return slack water system, a main cylinder, and ram, a pull-back cylinder and ram, gravity filling water supply and connections for said main cylinder, a check valve in the connections of said supply, allowing free flow toward the main cylinder and normally checking flow in reverse direction, a pilot cylinder and ram, a lifting rod for said valve, connections between said pilot ram and the lifting rod, a control valve alternately applying accumulator pressure to the main cylinder and pull-back cylinder and exhaust therefrom and pressure to the pilot cylinder substantially concurrently with exhaust from the main cylinder, said exhaust acting as a bleeder to relieve pres sure on the check valve during operation of the pilot valve, and return means for the pilot ram.

HENRI PIERRE LAURENT LAUSSUCQ. 

